Survey investigating factors affecting recruitment and retention in the UK veterinary nursing profession

Background: Recruitment and retention have been identified as contributing factors to workforce shortages in the veterinary team. Methods: Results from veterinary nurses to an online questionnaire regarding recruitment and retention were analysed. Results: Veterinary nurses had few job changes (median 2); however, 53.8% (n = 1060) reported they were likely or very likely to leave their employment within 2 years. Respondents who were recently qualified (p < 0.001) and on lower salaries (p < 0.001) were significantly more likely to plan to leave. The most frequently chosen reasons to stay in a position were team, location and working hours, while reasons to leave were salary, management and work-life balance. Respondents most disliked 'dealing with people', remuneration and work-life balance and would like to change the salary, management and team aspects. Employers reported difficulty in employing an experienced veterinary nurse. Limitations: A questionnaire simplifies the nature of retention. Also, a comparatively low number of responses was received, with overrepresentation of some groups. It was conducted in 2018; however, it still provides a useful comparison for studies regarding recent world events. Conclusion: The shortage of veterinary nurses is due in part to the lack of retention within the profession. Adequate recompense for work undertaken and value attributed to the role are suggested as contributing factors.

Automated summary

Recruitment and retention are contributing factors to workforce shortages in the veterinary team. A survey found that nearly half of the veterinary nurses had intentions to leave their employment, with recently qualified and lower salary respondents more likely to plan to leave. The main factors for staying in a position were team, location, and working hours, while reasons for leaving were salary, management, and work-life balance. The survey also highlighted the difficulty employers faced in hiring experienced veterinary nurses.